As the Folkmoot’s Executive Director from 2015 until last August, I want to express my gratitude to the community and our staff as we collectively transformed  North Carolina’s International Folk Festival from a single, annual summer festival into a year-round arts and cultural organization. The Folkmoot family has had regrettably few chances to work together since early in 2020, so I write this letter in part to retrospectively thank staff, volunteers and donors for all of their efforts. 

Over the last several years, Folkmoot built new arts and cultural programs, rehabilitated the Hazelwood School, developed building rentals in that space, launched Camp Folkmoot, Mootenanny, Folkmalt, and the Cherokee World Games and reinvigorated the core summer international festival with participatory programs. It was a tall order, but with a small, but devoted and mighty staff, volunteers, and lots of loyal donors, we accomplished so much for the community! I have no doubt that if it weren’t for the pandemic, Folkmoot’s growth would have continued at a great pace. Thank you. 

I’m also grateful for the staffers and volunteers who have helped along the way, always accepting big tasks and grand ideas, with the intent of making our community culturally vibrant and a more accepting place for all people. If you know any former Folkmoot workers, you can rest assured that they are organized, creative and resourceful. Many of them have gone on to other things during the pandemic and I know that whatever they do, they will make their new affiliations stronger because of what they learned and achieved at Folkmoot. 

Thanks again to the community for your support and for sharing with me how important Folkmoot has been to you. My experience as executive director has transformed my life and the life of my family as well.

Now, please join me in welcoming Folkmoot’s new Executive Director, Glenn Fields, to the helm. He has considerable professional experience in cultural programs and festivals and will bring a new energy and excitement to the work. If you’d like to reach out to him, please send him an email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Glenn will appreciate hearing from you.

Happy New Year and stay healthy!

Angeline Schwab

Waynesville